8 MEMORABLE MEALS AND MENUS

With one of the biggest meals of the year arriving to festive tables soon, we glance back at a collection of memorable feasts:

1. THE MEAL WITH A VIEW

When Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and… that other guy reached the Moon, they forced down cubed bacon, cookie cubes, rehydrated peaches, coffee and a pineapple and grapefruit drink. Still, at least it was a meal with a view.

2. THE MEAL THAT WAS FIT FOR A KING

After a spell of health issues, King George III dined on a welcome-back-to-the-castle meal of mutton pies, roasted chicken, lamb, duck and veal. Heavy on the meat, perhaps, but appetising enough, until you realise it was the first course.

3. THE FINAL FIRST-CLASS FEAST

With oysters, foie gras pâté, beef sirloin, roasted ducks and chocolate éclairs, the 10-course menu served to first-class passengers the night before the Titanic sank was more than worthy of the opulent surroundings.

4. THE CLUB WITH 20 COURSES

The world’s priciest tasting menu, served at Ibiza’s Sublimotion, consists of 20 courses, including macaroons that float, pillows made from nitrogenised olive oil and chocolate cakes served on DJ turntables.

5. THE ROYAL WEDDING MENU

Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding menu was a real celebration of British produce: Scottish salmon, langoustines and lamb, Jersey Royal potatoes, English asparagus and a classic trifle to finish.

6. THE PRESIDENT'S PIES

Apple, banana, cherry, coconut, pumpkin and pecan. Not a game of ‘what’s in the trolley?’, but a list of all the pies that were on the Obama family’s Thanksgiving menu in in 2014. An impressive – Presidential, even – effort.

7. THE 200 CLUB

Bompas & Parr, English jelly specialists, recently hosted ‘The 200 Club’. It took guests 26 hours to make their way through the unique dining experience, with seven-minute intervals separating each of the 200 courses.

8. THE AWARD-WINNING AWARDS DINNER

This year’s Oscars banquet was a who’s who of luxury. Smoked salmon with caviar, soups topped with white chocolate and 24-carat gold leaf, chocolate and mint truffles… and peanut-butter strawberry-jelly lollies.